Investigation of the use of Ishiagu Galena Concrete in E-M Radiation Sheilding

Galena samples, collected from Ishiagu, south-eastern Nigeria, were used to make concretes for experimental radiation shielding. The concretes were moulded into cylindrical tablets of various densities in order to ascertain their attenuation capability to some electromagnetic radiations. Blue visible light and gamma-ray (455-500 nm) sourced from cobolt-60, were transmitted through the concretes and detected with the aid of Op-Amp and digital Geiger-Muller Counter respectively. The absorption coefficients of the samples of thicknesses in the range of 1.00 mm – 5.00 cm were determined. Results obtained show that a typical Ishiagu galena concrete of about 2.80 g/cm3 has the capacity of shielding visible blue light with about 2.51 mm TVL and 0.81 mm HVL. It also shows that the concrete of similar density can optimally shield gamma radiation with about 5.06 cm TVL and 1.53 cm HVL. The results of the investigation however, suggest the shielding and engineering properties of the galena sourced from Ishiagu. A database of shielding strength for the insitu galena was established hence, can serve as suitable platform for quality and quantity control in radiation shielding technology and can be used in high voltage radiotherapy rooms and nuclear reactors.